Saturday, March 26, 2011

2011 NFL Draft - Buccaneer Trade Up Scenario

Was thinking about this and figured I’d share. Although I’d prefer the Bucs to sit tight at #20 and take one from Houston or Kerrigan (one should be there), I think it’s very likely that Bucs GM Mark Dominik trades up for a player on his radar. I have one player in mind for the Bucs with this scenario, and I think this works out very well for the other team involved in the deal as well. Here’s the scenario:

Here’s where I see a highly possible trade up spot for the Bucs, and the player in mind is Robert Quinn. The one team I’m worried about in this scenario is SF. I’ve got to think the Niners take Peterson over anyone if he’s on the board, but as I mentioned above, there’s a good chance Dallas moves up to get him. Would SF then take Amukamara over Quinn? QB and OLB are there next greatest needs, and both Newton and Gabbert are gone. The Rams could still take Corey Liuget or an end at #20 and gain an extra selection or two to move down.

Dominik has a relationship with Rams’ decision maker Kevin Demoff, so don’t be surprised if picks change hands and Quinn is a Buccaneer if he makes it past the first 13 selections.

6 comments:

Yikes. According to this: http://nflmocks.com/2011/03/26/robert-quinn-2011-draft-scouting-report/ , maybe it's not that great of a move. I used to believe very firmly that character issues were of little importance to all but quarterbacks. I have come around to be wary of flags in that area; as Talib, Dez Bryant and many, many others have demonstrated, in NFL v.2011, Commissioner Goodell will have your ass in a seat if you act the fool.

I think I would be much happier with Houston, Clayborn, Kerrigan or Jordan, but I could live with Pouncey.

"North Carolina defensive end Robert Quinn might be the most overrated prospect of the draft. From what I have seen, I don’t think he is going to do anything in the NFL."

I'm not saying the guy is a saint, but there's been zero buzz of him being the least bit forthright with NFL teams leading up to the draft. Regarding his talent, whoever wrote that piece needs to watch a little more football. Comparing Quinn to Gholston is pretty laughable.

It's going to be hard for the Bucs to mess this one up. Of the players you list, I think Jordan and Kerrigan are the only ones with a good shot at being gone before we pick.

Did you read that scouting report by Nolan Nawrocki on yahoo sports? More to the point, did you ghostwrite it? An excerpt:

"Negatives: Played in a simplified, run-first, dive-option read offense with very basic high-low reads. Worked exclusively out of the gun and was very quick to run at the first flash of coverage. Limited field vision — does not process the passing game. Inconsistent throwing mechanics with a flick delivery — generates all of his power from his upper-body strength and too often arms the ball. Streaky passer with spotty accuracy. "

Many years ago, I went on an anti-Mother Theresa tirade and she up and died a couple of days later. Now the two guys I mention as examples of players with character issues blow up in the news. If only I could use my powers for good.

"Very disingenuous — has a fake smile, comes off as very scripted and has a selfish, me-first makeup. Always knows where the cameras are and plays to them. Has an enormous ego with a sense of entitlement that continually invites trouble and makes him believe he is above the law — does not command respect from teammates and always will struggle to win a locker room. Only a one-year producer. Lacks accountability, focus and trustworthiness — is not punctual, seeks shortcuts and sets a bad example. Immature and has had issues with authority. Not dependable."

and

“However, he always will test the rules, be difficult to manage and lacks the intangibles to win the trust of a locker room. Will require a very strong-willed, demanding coach to live up to his potential and avoid the trappings of fame and fortune, but even the greatest taskmaster will not be able to keep away the drama that is still swirling from a stained Heisman Trophy and littered recruiting trail that Newton left in the SEC. Can provide an initial spark, but will quickly be dissected and contained by NFL defensive coordinators, struggle to sustain success and will not prove worthy of an early investment. An overhyped, high-risk, high-reward selection with a glaring bust factor, Newton is sure to be drafted more highly than he should and could foreclose a risk-taking GM's job and taint a locker room.”

My powers are of limited efficacy against Supreme Leader Ghaddafi; my working theory is his body comprises little to no organic matter.

Peter King (yeah, I know...it's Peter King, but...)wrote recently of the possibility of Bowers dropping as far as twenty, at which point the Bucs would surely snatch him up. Evidently his pro-day was pedestrian, and there remain questions about his knee, so he's sliding. I say if he's available, TAKE HIM IMMEDIATELY. I wasn't there for his pro-day, but I certainly was able to watch him play against pretty good competition in the ACC, and he was often unblockable.

But of course, realistically he is not going to last to twenty. If I were to channel my inner Dominik, I would look at my O-line and think that while it would be nice to have an upgrade at a couple of places, the biggest improvement most quickly would clearly be an improved pass rush. Ergo, I'm betting Houston.

Bowers is going to be an intriguing draft day story. There are some concerns that he’ll need microfracture surgery which would likely have him missing all of 2011. Now I don’t know how much of this is draft BS and how much of it is real, but there are reportedly a few teams that have failed him and removed him from their board. My response is going to be lame, but in the Bucs’ case, if the medical staff clears him, then he should certainly be seriously considered. Otherwise, we’d have to pass on him. I’m guessing (truly a guess) he goes just before we pick.

Yeah, I’m still completely committed to Justin Houston.

I try to break it down this way. There will certainly be trades to change this up at least slightly, but there’s a pretty damn good chance that 10 players we’re not heavily pursuing will be off the board by the time we pick:

I also think there’s a good chance that Corey Liuget and Christian Ponder go before we pick, and then there are guys like Nate Solder, Muhammad Wilkerson, Mike Pouncey, and Jimmy Smith who could sneak into that mix as well. My point is that there will be at least one of those ends to choose from when we pick if we just sit tight at #20.